A/N: It's not right of me to start a story and barely update. I'm very sorry for this. I have so much work but I've taken a bit of time out of my revision to write this super quick, also, I thought the last chapter sucked but I'm really happy with this one.

I'd like to thank the guest reviewers who keep leaving me the loveliest reviews, thank you very much. If you could just leave names/nicknames so I can personally address you in author notes.

Enjoy! xxxxxxx

xoxo

10. Triumph

The bed and breakfast wasn't hideous but very plain, and strangely claustrophobic, to say the least. Sirius felt like he was being choked, like there were Dementors, all around, sucking the life out of him. It wasn't the most pleasant of feelings.

He nodded vaguely at Dumbledore and stood up. 'Which room?'

'I sent him to room eight.' The old Headmaster answered, smiling encouragingly at Sirius. Maybe he could sense the fear within the other man. But who wouldn't be scared? Grindelwald was a man to be feared. A man to be weary and careful of. Especially because he was one of the darkest lords to have ever lived. He was a force of which his magic was unmeasurable and his intelligence was unaccountable.

He really was an incredible old man. Sirius looked out of his room carefully before stepping into the small thin corridor and hurrying to the next room. It was already open and was just as small, if not smaller, than the previous room.

It had a musty, old and disused smell about it; like a library belonging to one of the ancient, posh universities like Oxford or Cambridge or St. Andrews.

It was only one room this time, with a large bed in the centre. Sitting on it, donned in some fresh clean robes and with a trimmed, clean beard and shorter-but-still-shoulder-length hair was Gellert Grindelwald.

Sirius had never been more nervous in his life. Well, that was a lie. But this made the top five, definitely. The old dark lord had an air about him; like he knew everything and saw all. He had a glimmer in his eye that suggested he was silently laughing at you, and what was most disturbing had to be the smirk: self-satisfied and arrogant.

A smirk that Sirius, more often than not wore.

'Professor Dumbledore t-told me you wanted to speak to me,' murmured Sirius, cursing himself when he stuttered a little bit. Get it together! he thought angrily. You fought the Dark Lord in a duel, you were imprisoned for months, you stand up to a fully-grown and incredibly strong werewolf every month, you can do this Sirius, you can do this!

Gellert smiled again, that frustratingly annoying smile of his. 'Yes, yes he did. I imagine he's off in Nurmengard fixing the whole "missing prisoner" dilemma.' The elder man flashed a mischievous smile and Sirius grimaced in return.

He didn't know why he was so nervous around Grindelwald; maybe it was because the man seemed like he could unveil everything Sirius was and everything he had done in a moment and still have time to grin that aggravating, vexatious grin of his.

'Do you know why I want to speak to you Sirius?'

Wiping his clammy hands on his jeans, Sirius swallowed and shook his head. He took a seat opposite Gellert and looked down at his now folded arms.

'Albus seems to think you're troubled. He's been worried about you ever since you both made the horcrux-'

'What?' Sirius cried angrily. 'He told you about that?'

Gellert smiled and shuffled a little closer to the younger man. 'I think that's why he's let me out in the first place. He seems to think I can help you.'

Sirius scoffed and shook his head, mumbling, 'No one can help me. I've messed things up too much.'

Gellert had never been incredible at listening; he was better at causing a ruckus and creating drama. But that didn't mean he couldn't listen. It just meant he didn't do it very often. But in that moment, genuine concern flickered over his face.

'Albus is a great man, and a merciful one too. Now, I know I'm making him out to be some sort of prophet or whatever, and I know I'm glorifying him when I really shouldn't be, but it's true. Did you know he'd always send someone to me at least once a month, just to keep me up with the national affairs; you know, what was going on in Britain's Wizarding World. And he had me subscribed to the Daily Prophet and even got them to let me listen to the WWN once or twice a week. I know a lot more than you think Sirius.'

The younger man rolled his eyes and looked indignantly out the window. 'Like what?'

'Like how you're struggling right now, struggling to find a common ground between what is right and what is wrong. Moreover, you're finding it difficult to understand whether being dark is the only way to beat Voldemort-'

Sirius clenched his fists. He'd always had such a nasty temper, but it seemed uncontrollable now; like any minute he could explode. What annoyed him the most was how right Gellert was.

'I was you Sirius. Only, I didn't find it so hard to make my mind up,' continued the elder man. He stroked his white beard and then grinned a little scathingly, if not slightly condescendingly.

'Why are you telling me all of this?' Sirius questioned slowly. When there wasn't an immediate answer, he looked up and frowned. Grindelwald was laughing silently at him.

Minutes passed before the ex-dark lord could control himself. He started talking again, 'I'm doing this because my friend has asked me too. You are worrying him Sirius, and worrying Dumbledore never bodes well with anyone. Fix it, otherwise he'll find an unconventional way to fix it, a way that you most certainly will not like.

'Explain to me what happened that night you came back to life. I'm afraid my information is a little lacking in that certain topic and I'd find it most interesting.'

Slowly, and with the force of a gaining, frightful wind, Sirius began to explain everything he could remember: the pain of the first spell, hitting him and throwing him back, the shock at being in a large open space that seemed to be an arena of some sort, seeing his Mother, the Angel of Death turning into his dead brother...

Gellert wasn't one of those people who said they "understood" when they clearly didn't understand at all. He obviously understood Sirius, really truly understood him. Maybe that was why he was so intimidated by the elder man.

'I'm failing to understand one thing,' Gellert said in a very quiet voice. Sirius looked up at him, as if to say "what?"

'If Voldemort kills you and you come back, you're not going to be the same man. Who's to say you won't replace him even if you do manage to get rid of him?'

The silver-eyed man looked up, his lips and hands trembling. 'I didn't k-know that would happen.' He cleared his throat and said in a more assertive voice; 'I never knew about that.'

Gellert grinned. 'Yes Sirius, this is what you're looking forward to if you manage to destroy Voldemort but get hurt in the process. Never seeing your son again-'

Sirius jumped up, his chair toppling back and his wand coming out to point right at Grindelwald's chest. 'You don't mention my son. You don't think about him, you don't even imagine him. Dumbledore might trust you but I sure as hell don't.'

'But you need to trust me. Because your plan won't work without me here.' The white haired man's voice came out like a whisper; seductive, breathless and barely even there.

Sirius ran a hand over his face, stared vehemently at Gellert, as though the elder man was scum not even worthy of existing, before he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. He was lucky too, because just then, Grindelwald started laughing heartedly.

xo

Severus still couldn't quite believe that he was the Headmaster of Hogwarts. It felt like a job too great and noble for him. Dumbledore was meant to be the Headmaster not him; in comparison, Severus felt flimsy and dull - he didn't possess quite the same amount of eccentricities that most Headmasters had had.

Instead, Severus was more of a brooding, quiet type; too busy conspiring in the corner to be leading hundreds of students. And he was very prejudiced too.

The Dark Lord was a commanding influence, and at the time Severus thought it seemed like an alright idea for the Death Eaters and Voldemort to come storming into the school and kill students just to have the Mudbloods return or to have Dumbledore come up and fight him.

But now he thought about it, it seemed like the worst idea. Which was why when Voldemort came to visit and explain the plan to the brooding, worried Snape in his office, he proposed his own idea. Or rather, an idea to accompany Voldemort's.

He had been sitting down at his desk, a quill in his hand dripping ink onto the page. He bit his lip and mumbled to himself under his breath. Then, the flames roared green and a figure came out of it. The only place linked to the Snape's fire was the Malfoy Manor. He looked up in confusion; they usually checked if he was there by calling from the fire first.

But then he saw the flat nose, the glimmering ruby eyes, the grey-white pale skin. Severus rushed around the table and bowed down, pressing his forehead his bent knees in a show of respect. 'Good evening my Lord,' he said tentatively. When he looked up, Voldemort was smiling at him.

'Good evening Severus.' Voldemort walked around the desk and sat down in the main chair, where Severus, Albus, Phineas and many others had sat. 'How are you?'

The younger man tried to regain his footing and smiled, sitting down opposite his lord. 'I am fine, my Lord. I've just been very busy, the students are … let's just say they're a little overexcited at the escape of the Mudbloods in Azkaban.'

Voldemort's face contorted as a flicker of pure hatred washed over his face. He was suddenly clenching his fists and his eyes were glowing red. 'Yes, well they shouldn't be. They're being punished suitably, of course?'

Severus nodded. 'Anyone who voices positive opinions about the escape are handed over to Filch for an hour. He still has his canes and whips from two decades ago.'

The elder man grinned and nodded. 'Good, good. You know, on the topic of students, I've got such a good idea.' Severus wanted to sigh, when the Dark Lord said he had "such a good idea" it usually meant he was planning to kill at least a dozen people.

'What, my Lord?' he answered politely.

The Dark Lord smiled that chilling smile of his; the one that raised the hairs on Severus's back and that made him shiver and want to run. 'Send word to Dumbledore. Tell him that either he comes and faces me like a real man or I will kill every student in this school, starting from the ones with the dirtiest blood, unless he returns all the prisoners to me. All of them.'

No!

Severus's jaw quite literally dropped, and never before had he quite admired the honesty the saying held. He couldn't believe Voldemort. Surely he wouldn't kill purebloods: relatives of the Blacks, of the Malfoys and Yaxleys, of the Lestranges and the Mulcibers … surely he wouldn't...

Which meant they must have had some knowledge that could do real damage to Voldemort. Something that could take him down.

'Yes,' murmured Snape, still in shock.

'Yes what?'

He gulped and felt for a moment like an insolent idiot child. 'Yes my Lord. Sorry my Lord.' Severus reached over and took a quill from beside the Dark Lord's hand and a piece of parchment. He started writing in quick, scrawled calligraphy before he handed it to Voldemort to check over.

When Voldemort nodded in satisfaction, he smiled tightly and placed the letter and the quill on the desk. 'I'll send it later my Lord.'

'Very well,' said the elder man, standing up. 'Is there any else Severus?'

'M-may I just make a suggestion, my Lord?' the younger man interjected, standing up also and cowering away from the more powerful wizard. When he was answered with a nod and a glitter of ruby eyes, he launched into explanation: 'My Lord, I think it would cause outrage on an international level if people were to hear that we murdered children.'

The Dark Lord stroked his chin and then stared Severus deeply in his eyes, searching the black onxy orbs for any trace of hoodwinking or trickery. He couldn't find any and let the younger man continue. Snape shakily ran a hand through his hair and continued. 'I think, my Lord, we should offer up some defences. I think the teachers and I should stand against you, so as not to cause such an emotional upheaval within Britain's magical world. We don't have to tell Dumbledore this, because he will obviously come, but just in case...'

Voldemort looked into the flames, cackling and golden now instead of emerald, and watched them for a minute dancing with vibrancy and life. He then turned to Severus.

'Yes Severus.' His voice was calm and collected, something that Snape feared his voice would not sound like if he opened his mouth once more to speak. 'Yes, I think we will do just that. You are a very useful person to have around. Thank you for pointing this out to me.'

The Headmaster shook his head and licked his lips, the inside of his mouth feeling like cardboard. 'No, my Lord. It's no bother. It's an honour in fact.' He reinstated firmly, smiling widely at Voldemort.

'I shall see you in a few days at the Lestrange Manor. I need to speak to you all and Bella has something to show us.'

'Yes my Lord.' Without another word, Voldemort grinned that frightening grin of his and strode over to the fireplace; disappearing in a wisp of green flames.

As soon as he was gone, Severus sat down in his hair and let his head fall to the desk with a painful thud. With a shaky pause, he snatched the letter to Dumbledore and threw it to the cackling flames, feeding them and hearing them snicker.

'Expecto Patronum,' he breathed. The beautiful, long graceful doe strutted around the room, butting her head at Severus and radiating warmth and happiness. He beckoned her over and she came willingly, lighting up the space around him. Calmly, albeit the exasperated breath Snape took before he spoke, he told the doe what to do. 'I need you to tell Dumbledore...'

xo

'Are you guys gonna be here though?' whispered Sirius, looking back at them. They were currently in the cluster of bushes, the ones that Sirius and Malfoy had duelled in the day he was captured all those months ago. They weren't as well taken care as before, and had grown wildly; though maybe that attributed to it being summer now and not winter like it had been at that time.

It was two days after Gellert and Albus came. They hadn't been back since, but Sirius knew that they were watching him. He didn't like Gellert at all. Who gave the man permission to even mention Sirius's son? It was like he wanted to get beaten up or whatever. And from the fragility Grindelwald showed, Sirius knew it would be easy to knock out the old man; maybe a punch or two would be all it took.

'Yes, we're going to be here the whole time. If you get hurt or spotted and a fight breaks out, we'll know about it as long as you leave your mirror on so we can communicate with you, got it Padfoot?' asked Lily. When he nodded she touched his cheek with a pretty, loving smile on her face and then pushed the Invisibility Cloak into his hands.

'Don't be an idiot Pads, please don't.' James said, a hint of both humour and worry etched on his face. He shook his head when Sirius winked at him. 'Oi, stop it. You better be good, alright?'

'Yes sir,' the other Marauder said before turning to Remus and grinning at him. He had his wand on him, well, Voldemort's yew wand, but it worked just as well for him. He also had the mirror tucked into the waistband of his jeans. Sirius looked ready to go in; the only thing that worried the other three was the how dangerous it was for him to be in there. They had planned their search perfectly though; Snape had told them that a meeting was going on in Bellatrix's home. Which meant that the house would be mostly empty, save maybe Narcissa taking care of her son, and a few house elves off cleaning and polishing.

'Good luck,' said Remus quietly, nodding his head and wearing that self-satisfied smirk of his.

'Won't need it,' replied Sirius just as cockily before giving them all a thumbs up and throwing the cloak over his shoulders, veiling his body from the world. It was a quick, frantic walk; he tried to be as silent as possible when he approached the gates however. The defences on the Malfoy Manor had tripled from when Sirius was a little kid. Apparently only certain people could get through, as well as relatives; a recent change made after Sirius's alleged death.

Malfoy seemed to think that after Sirius "died" he would need it to protect his family from furious Order members. He also banned people like James, Peter, the Prewett brothers, the Longbottoms but he forgot one crucial thing: banning Sirius Black himself.

And Sirius, who was a relative, and not banned could still get in. Funny how Malfoy had done all of this to protect his home from Order members, but had forgotten the vital part of all of this: protecting himself and his home against Sirius. Malfoy really wasn't as smart as he thought he was.

Sirius breathed deeply and murmured a soft, 'Alohamora.' The door opened gently with a quiet creak and he stepped inside. The house smelled radiant as the aroma of fresh roasted food graced its way towards him. His stomach gurgled a little and he bit his lip, waiting for someone to hear him. No one came.

Sirius had been to the Malfoy Manor a lot when he was younger. He knew his way around, still, he hoped; unless of course Lucius rearranged everything.

He young man looked around carefully. He scrutinised the entrance of the kitchen and could hear clangs and cooking from inside, and some conversation between the house elves as they chatted enthusiastically about what they were cooking and how best to cook it.

He looked at the grand staircase and hurried up it as quickly as he could, and when he was on the first floor, Sirius paused again. He had to be silent, perfect and definitely not obvious. That was when he felt it: a lurch within him and a stinging sensation from the mark on his arm. It wasn't the sting that happened whenever Voldemort was calling the Death Eaters, but instead a totally different kind: like a slow, deliberate pinch.

It's here.

Sirius went down the corridor on his left to the office he knew the head of the family owned. He stepped inside and sighed when a cool breeze embraced him. It really was too hot. Who knew? Britain and warmth being associated together?

The young man threw the cloak off after a quick inspection of the office, and then he closed the door behind him. The room was reasonably large. There was a writing desk, most probably hand-made and very expensive from the colour and the texture of the wooden pattern. He thumbed it as he looked around the room. There were bookcases in the corner and of course, a bar near the window with brandy and firewhiskey.

He was thirsty but knew that if he even dared to touch it, somehow, Malfoy would know. The elder man seemed like the type to really care about his liquor. Instead, Sirius murmured a soft, 'Aguamenti,' and the closest glass refilled with water. He drained it, placed it back where it was only when he was sure it was completely dry. He placed it back down and exhaled shakily.

Nothing was going to go wrong. He grabbed the mirror and looked into it. He saw three faces back, staring at him worryingly. Lily started whispering: 'Is everything alright?'

'Yes,' said Sirius quietly, 'I'm in his office. Lily, I can feel it. It's here. It's definitely here.'

'Well hurry and start looking around,' she ordered, 'come on.'

Sirius immediately made his way over to the bookcase. He touched each and everything on the bookcase but after fifteen minutes of thorough inspection, he still couldn't feel anything or find any horcruxes. He took out the mirror and shook his head. 'Not on the bookcase.' He told Remus.

'Alright, well, look at the bar. It might be there, under the drinks or in the drawers,' answered the werewolf, who was worrying his lip and had a glazed, cautious look on his face. 'Try and hurry Sirius.'

'Okay,' he whispered, tucking the mirror back into the waistband of his jeans. The glasses clanged the first time he lifted them and he cringed. Narcissa could come in at any moment, and if not her, then maybe one of the house elves. He waited, not even daring to breath, but after about twenty seconds and no sign of anyone approaching, he continued.

Sirius lifted the glasses, moved the bottles, looking for anything out of the norm. He opened the cabinets, stuck a hand inside and felt around for anything that would sting his skin: nothing did.

'I can't find it guys,' he said in a panicked voice, 'what if it's not in this room? What if it's just on this floor? I can't look in every room guys.'

Lily's face appeared, her fond and kind expression soothing him. She had that sort of personality; one that was a calming and tender one, the ability to both break you and make you, as she demonstrated time and time again with James.

'Calm down Sirius, you can do this. Just check his cabinet and his desk, it must be there. If not, we'll come back another day.'

He shook his head passionately: 'No, we're going home with the horcrux today. We have to.' He tucked the mirror away for what he hoped was the last time and sat on the chair. It sagged slightly under his weight. He opened the cabinet and felt a hissing burn ripple through his arm - it wasn't painful but it wasn't enjoyable either.

'Yes!' Sirius said, a little louder than he would have liked. His hand flew up to cover his mouth. Without a moment's hesitation, he pulled open the draw and started touching everything. But none of them evoked the appropriate reaction; nothing dramatic enough.

If I had a piece of Voldemort's soul, Sirius thought, where would I put it? Not somewhere anyone could get it and not somewhere anyone could find it but … but somewhere near where I always am.

Sirius didn't know what it was that told him, maybe it was his intuition, but he rapped each side of the wide but short drawer. The right side was hollow. Sirius pulled out his wand, waved it and a latch appeared. He pulled the latch and there it was, a secret compartment. And sitting in the secret compartment was a diary.

It was old and mauled, like a copy of a favourite book; revisited again and again and appreciated all the same each time. Sirius reached for it and hissed particularly loudly when his hand came into contact with the leather-bound black diary.

Scrawled on the back, it said Tom Marvolo Riddle. It was Voldemort's alright. Sirius withdrew the mirror from his waistband and said into it, 'I've got it.' Lily's eyes met his and they shined with pride and excitement. 'I've got the horcrux.' He told her.

But then the door opened, and a voice interrupted all of Sirius's thoughts.

xo

Albus could remember everything Gellert had told him when they had been reunited after the conversation between the young pureblood and the old, slightly crippled ex-prisoner. Gellert had had a lot to say about Sirius. And it wasn't positive, at least, most of it wasn't.

'He's hot-headed,' said Gellert at the time. He was standing, same height as Dumbledore but with a slouchier posture and less colour in his face.

'I don't understand,' replied Albus.

'He's a changed man. He's darker now, he doesn't know how to control himself. I've never met him before but from what you've described, he's not the man he used to be.'

Albus bit his lip and sat down, burying his face in his hands. 'The horcrux?'

'I don't know Albus, dear friend. I really don't know.' Gellert sat opposite his old friend and smiled encouragingly. 'Don't worry, Albus. When he destroyed Voldemort, because I just know he has the power in him, we'll make him destroy the horcrux.'

The old Headmaster nodded unsurely, if not a little disbelievingly. But he nodded once more. 'Yes, of course. How was your conversation?' he added.

Gellert sighed. 'It was … alright. He's certainly not the man I thought he'd be. He's got darkness in him, Dumbledore. Something is bugging him. I'd suggest you keep an eye on him, just to make sure he doesn't do anything. And make sure he doesn't do anything with his horcrux.'

Albus chuckled without humour: 'Do what?'

'You know, make sure he doesn't make any others. You need to remember Albus that horcruxes change people totally. Voldemort is a perfect example, and I'm not talking about appearance only.' The ex-prisoner swallowed harshly and then continued speaking, 'If he lets the horcrux take over, then he won't be the Sirius you know anymore. He'll be like Voldemort; cold and unfeeling and we'll have to kill him.'

Albus nodded quickly. 'Yes, I know, Gellert.'

'You watch him carefully, okay? Because we might lose one dark lord, Albus but there's always room for another.' They exchanged grim nods in which Albus responded to the bitter silence by conjuring some brandy and two glasses.

They knocked their drinks back and continued staring at their glasses with sour discomfort. It hurt to think of Sirius as ever being anything other than caring, affectionate and warm-hearted. He was the type that loved so wholly, that wore his heart on his sleeve. He wasn't cold. He never would be cold.

'Do you think we should start watching him now?' asked Albus, biting his lip worryingly.

Gellert grinned and before Albus knew it, he started laughing and shook his head. 'Oh Al, I've already started watching him. From the moment I first laid eyes on him. Be careful around him Dumbledore. Trust him to kill Voldemort but do not trust him for anything. Whilst he still has a horcrux living, still intact on his earth, he is a liability.'

Albus nodded. From the moment he met Gellert, he knew that whatever the man said, he would probably agree and probably do. Grindelwald just had that sort of personality; he was a force of persuasion and had talent in influencing and swaying people.

'Thank you.' He said.

'Always, Albus,' was the response.

xo

The noise they made was staggering: it rippled through the grounds of the Lestrange Manor, which stretched on for miles. It was startingly beautiful, but if Bellatrix was honest, she loved where she lived more than she lived the man who owned the land. Rodolphus was a very cold, chilling man: he didn't love Bellatrix anymore than she loved him.

He had sex with other women in their bed for goodness sake. She could sometimes even smell them on the sheets. The first time she had smelt it, she had cursed him so bad he hadn't been able to walk without wincing for a week.

The grounds looked stunning in the summer heat; the horizon glowed golden and the sky was a mixture of light blue, yellow and hints of pink. It was very beautiful.

The giants made another staggering noise, ripping Bellatrix out of her trance. She turned to them angrily, and they most certainly feared her, because they were silent within an instant. With a murmured, 'Sonorus,' her voice echoed loudly as she began to speak.

'There are thirty of you. Thirty of you powerful, strong giants. Now, put on a good display for our Dark Lord and behave yourselves. Otherwise, you'll get the treatment you received yesterday for embarrassing me.' Yesterday had been most disgusting: she had killed four of the giants who had started to fight and embarrass her in front of some of the other Death Eaters.

Bellatrix had managed to get them to shut up though with her frightening persona and her great magical tools. She had whips that worked on their own accord and left marks on the giants the length and width of Bellatrix's leg. She was smart. She knew how to control them. But it took just one giant wise enough to turn all the other giants against her and Voldemort.

'So these are the giants you have gotten for us?' a voice asked from behind Bellatrix. She turned eagerly and broke into a wide smile when she saw her lord. She threw herself down and kissed the hems of his robes.

'My Lord. Yes, there are the giants I have managed to get, with the help of Dolohov, on our side.' She would have omitted Dolohov's name in her explanation but he had approached her with Voldemort, and was watching her critically.

'They seem like a formidable force.' He said, appraising the enormous group of giants, some of them being two dozen feet tall. He fixed his chilling, red glare upon them and they shivered a little, moving back from him. Even when they were three or four times the size of him, they still cowered, like mice, away from him. It was incredible. Voldemort turned back to Bellatrix and smiled at her. 'Come Bella, leave them out here. Your other comrades are inside waiting.'

She nodded obediently. 'Yes, my Lord.' She said. The whips came out, ready to strike, and some of the giants watched them suspiciously and even moved away just a little. She turned to the whips and they followed her, crowding around her. 'Strike them if they leave this area.' With that, she was gone, following after the Dark Lord and leading Dolohov.

Bellatrix felt powerful, walking behind Voldemort. Like she was his best, highest follower. And that was all she wanted to be; his best and his favourite.

xo

Sirius looked up slowly. Every noise was amplified; the beating of his heart, the sound of his breathing, each swallow, each creak of furniture. Very large tennis-ball like eyes were boring into his. The door closed very quickly behind the small figure.

'Dobby is not meaning to interrupt you sir,' the house elf squeaked. 'Dobby is only coming in to check if everything is clean and alright sir. Master Lucius does not like when his office is not clean sir. Dobby is so sorry. Stupid Dobby, stupid, stupid-' he started hitting himself on the head with his tiny balled fists.

His squeaks were echoing through the room and Sirius had to rush forward to grab the elf's hands. 'It's alright, Dobby is it?'

The very adorable elf nodded. Sirius cleared his throat and nodded. 'Right, well, you're probably wondering why I'm here Dobby...'

'Dobby isn't wondering sir. Dobby knows. You is the Master Sirius Black sir. You is alive!'

Sirius groaned under his breath and could hear whispers coming from the mirror now lying abandoned on the desk. He wanted to scream in frustration. How could he be so stupid? Hadn't he learnt anything? Anything at all?

'You can't tell anyone Dobby!' he said, his hand already holding his wand behind his back.

The elf smiled. 'Oh, you is needing not to worry sir Sirius. Dobby will not tell anyone. Dobby hates his masters as much as you do sir. Oh! Dobby must not speak badly about the Malfoys-' he was preparing to hit himself again when hands once more enclosed around his tiny fists.

'You can't tell anyone Dobby, you really can't.' He pleaded, already debating whether to erase the elf's memory or not. Surely an elf who spoke badly about his masters couldn't be a bad elf or anything? Surely Dobby wouldn't tell anyone?

There was noises downstairs. Then Sirius heard it; he heard the manly, thick voices of Malfoy and some friends. His insides froze. How on earth was he going to get out?

It sounded like there were at least five or six? And then Sirius heard it. The ascending of stairs, slow and gradual. His heart started beating faster, like a drum, banging against his rib cage. Sirius was seconds away from hyperventilating when a cloak was thrown over him and the mirror was shoved into his hand as well as the diary forgotten on the floor.

He gasped in shock when the door, for the second time in the space of ten minutes, opened. There were five of them, and to Sirius's surprise, none of them were Death Eaters, but instead politians. But then he corrected himself: what was the difference?

He licked his lips and shook his head.

'Dobby, what are you doing here?'

The elf squeaked. 'Dobby is so sorry master. Dobby is cleaning master's office. Dobby should leave master in peace now.'

Lucius had stone cold grey eyes, pretty but frightening. They were framed in pale, thick lashes. He smiled at his politian friends and shook his head. 'Are you done then Dobby?'

'Yes master, Dobby is done. Sorry for disturbing you master.' The elf said. He straightened up and then whimpered when a cane collided with his leg. 'Dobby is so sorry master,' the elf whimpered, 'Dobby has forgotten his manners. Is there anything Dobby can get master and his guests?'

Lucius nodded. 'Bring us up some tea.' Then he turned to his aloof, snobby friends and laughed. Dobby opened the door slowly, giving Sirius enough time to slip past, though his head clanged against the door painfully, before the elf too followed and it snapped shut behind them. The house elf groped the air and grabbed the edge of the cloak, dragging the pureblood heir through the corridor and into the laundry room.

Sirius threw the cloak off and before he knew it, was wrapping the elf up in a tight, warm hug. 'Thank you so much Dobby. Thank you!' he said passionately before seizing the elf and kissing his shiny head.

The elf gushed with pride. 'Master Sirius is welcome sir! Most welcome! Dobby is glad he has helped!'

'How can I repay you?' gasped Sirius, his hand tightening around the diary now in his pocket. It was certainly small and thin enough to fit, like nothing had ever been written in it. He would have to inspect it thoroughly later.

The young man looked around the small laundry room. It was filled with baskets and boxes of clothes, some clean and some dirty. It also smelt quite nice; like soap.

'How do I get out?'

Dobby pointed at a chute in the corner of the room. 'This leads to the outside of the house. It is where Dobby and the other house elves also put the rubbish to be disposed of at the end of the day.'

Sirius threw the cloak around his shoulders, but his head was still visible. He made sure he had the mirror and his wand before looking the elf directly in his large green eyes. 'You cannot tell anyone Dobby. Promise?' he knew when he used that assertive voice of his, he could command almost anyone. It was like a gift.

Part of Dobby, the obedient part, rebelled against promising not to tell anyone but he made the vow anyway. 'Dobby promises sir. Dobby will carry this secret with him to his death.'

Sirius smiled at the elf's eccentrics and mouthed a 'thank you' before disappearing down the chute and whizzing out of the Malfoy Manor and into the gardens outside. He barely made it behind the bushes before he was ambushed; hugged viciously by his two best friends, kissed on his cheek by Lily and praised rather passionately.

'You did it Sirius! You did it!' they were saying. With smiles wider than Cheshire cats, the group of four joined hands and disapparated directly into the bed and breakfast they were staying at. Though the cracks were loud, their smiles spoke louder.

xo

Peter understood why he had to go with Alice and not the other Marauders; Mrs Black would not tolerate his presence But Augusta was a very nice woman when she wanted to be; though she was extremely strong willed and very persuasive at times. Regardless, he was very grateful that she was letting him stay at her house.

Alice was also still very vulnerable from all the fighting at the underground Auror base from a few weeks ago. She was strong though, like her mother in law, and just as formidable. She put on a brave face and helped heal Peter.

He knew it was useless though. Peter didn't voice his opinion but he knew the infection had already begun to spread. He couldn't transform easily into Wormtail any more nor could he withstand the pain that the cursed scar brought.

Dolohov was a cruel and bitter man. He had ruined Peter's life. He was a werewolf now, or rather, as soon as the full moon waxed, he would become one. But surely if Remus could do it than he could? And wasn't there a new potion that would make it easier? Surely if Moony could do it...

But Remus has been a werewolf for almost his whole life, it's the only thing he knows. Besides, he's stronger than you. Always has been, always will be.

Stop it!

Peter shook his head and bit his tongue. He couldn't do this, he couldn't keep messing around with himself like this. He was his biggest enemy, thinking such pessimistic thoughts and worrying himself with the fact that the Marauders would leave him because they would realise just how boring he was.

Peter swallowed sharply and smiled when he saw Neville race into the room and run at him. He lifted the boy and hugged him. Neville was very tactile; he liked hugs and kisses and a lot of affection. Something that Peter hadn't been very used to after his Father died and his Mother got sick. He winced when Neville's bony elbow collided with his stomach but braved a smile.

Peter didn't like being at the sidelines. He liked knowing what was going on at all times. Maybe that was why he was so agitated, sitting here in Augusta's frilly home playing happy families (though he wasn't married to Alice or anything) and helping to take care of Neville and get the groceries.

He wanted to be out there doing something.

He wanted to speak to Remus. He wanted to cry. He wanted to ask god why? Why did it have to be him? Hadn't he been doing good? Didn't he abandon Voldemort and turn back to the good side?

But that didn't matter to god, did it? Because he still allowed Peter to get infected.

The rat Animagus stood up and stretched, but then cringed when the skin on his neck stretched like the rest of his body. It was sore and it hurt like hell. He licked his lips and sat back down. Surely there was someone who could help him? If not physically, then psychologically, at least.

Shaking his head, Peter sat back down and let Neville shove a book onto his lap. Dutifully, he began to read the story of The Fountain of Fair Fortune, praying to god not to turn him into a werewolf, if he would even bother to listen.

xo

The diary passed between each of their hands, first Remus, than James and finally Lily. Each of them assessed it in different ways; Remus flicked through it, James tapped it with his wand, Lily smelt it and felt for the texture of the diary.

Finally, when they were done, Sirius placed the blade between them. They currently each sat on the double bed, legs crossed and a can of beer wedged between their legs. Sirius was on his third, James had finished his second, Lily was still on her first and Remus was on god knows what.

To say the three males were tipsy was an understatement, but that just made things a whole lot easier.

'You should do it,' Sirius said, shoving the blade at Remus. The werewolf shook his head passionately though and handed it to Lily. They all watched her as she took the blade and admired it, the gems encrusted in the handle, the sparkle of the shining silver metal.

Finally, Lily held up the blade with shaking hands and said in a quiet voice, 'What shall I do?'

'You stab it.' Her husband explained to her in hushed tones. 'Right in the centre.'

But the diary seemed to sense what was coming because it flicked open. Like a cinema (because thanks to Lily and Remus, the two purebloods knew what it was) it started to play images corresponding to each of the Order members surrounding it.

It showed Remus when he was bitten, when the doctors told his parents to kill him, when he broke up with Emanuelle...

James cried out in pain when images of his dead parents flickered before his eyes, when he learnt that Marlene, his oldest friend, had been killed...

For Lily, she saw heartbreaking images. Of dead family members, of dead children, of the bitter pain when she and Severus broke contact forever.

And as for Sirius, he saw everything and nothing really. Too much yet not enough. They were all entranced in their own, heart wrenching grief to pay attention to the task at hand: destroying Voldemort's horcrux. His link to the immortal world.

Until Lily was ripped out of the trance when James's beer poured all over her. She cried out in shock and anger, the noise echoing around the room before she snatched the thick heavy blade from the centre of the bed and plunged it into the diary's centre. It screeched for at least a minute, a long howling noise penetrating every fibre of their bodies.

They gasped and panted heavily; their chests heaving and their bodies quivering with sorrow and fear. Never had they been so scared before. Smoke wafted around them as the last whimpers died out from the diary before it seemed to slump on the bed and lie still. It had a gaping hole in the middle, the wound leaking out the ink from the unused pages.

Lily touched it than threw the blade down. 'I did it.' She whispered to herself a few minutes of silence afterwards. Then she wiped her tears away shakily and repeated in a slightly more composed voice, 'I did it.'

A/N: I hope you've enjoyed this! I tried really hard on it! And it was so much fun to write!

Please review, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, xxxxx